Jury rules against Isiah Thomas

The jury in the Isiah Thomas sexual harassment trial has returned a verdict of $11.6 million dollars against Madison Square Garden and its chairman, James Dolan. The jury spared Isiah Thomas any personal liability, although it is certainly hard to calculate the damage this trial has done to his reputation. The verdict breaks down as follows: MSG owes $6 million for condoning a hostile work environment and $2.6 million for retaliation. Dolan owes $3 million. ESPN.com quotes U.S. District Judge Gerard E. Lynch calling the verdict "eminently reasonable." It is therefore doubtful he will do anything to reverse the verdict or lessen the amount. MSG, meanwhile, is quoted as saying: "We believe that the jury's decision was incorrect. We look forward to presenting our arguments to an appeals court, and believe they will agree that no sexual harassment took place and MSG acted properly."